India's first & foremost horse racing portal
Spark of Glory emerges as a classic prospect
By Sharan Kumar | 21 Nov 2003 | BANGALORE
Spark Of Glory (R. Thomas up) winner of the V.Gopal Memorial Plate being led in by trainer S.Padmanabhan and owner P.Arun Kumar & Mrs. Rashmi P Arun Kumar
Padmanabhan trained Spark of Glory recorded a smashing win en route to heralding his arrival as a classic prospect on Friday. Despite looking gross and making a comeback after a setback in training which kept him out of action for the entire monsoon season, the son of Razeen won in a manner which should mark him as a horse to watch in the Hyderabad classics. The striking acceleration, which left the field for dead in the final furlong, augurs well for this talented gelding.
There were just six runners in the fray and Star Again who had recorded an impressive win in his last essay, was the firm favourite. The well-bred son of a Group III winning mare Formidable Fight, was expected to improve on his previous effort and have a bold show but he went down without a fight and plodded home to be a dismal third. Pacemaker Olden Times stayed on in front to finish second best. Olden Times set a fast pace, with Indian Native, Star Again, Spark of Glory and the rest following in close attendance. Prakash made the first move on Star Again approaching the final bend and took a striking position even as Frenchman Ronen Thomas had to maneuver his position on the wide outside on Spark of Glory. The Padmanabhan trainee put in a sparkling turn of foot when asked for an effort and went away for a win by a widening margin of eight lengths. Considering the style of win, Spark of Glory should be a force to reckon with in the classics.
Generic Emperor who had gone down narrowly in controversial circumstances in his last run during the Summer season, justified the favouritism by winning the Linganamakki Cup, over seven furlongs, with a striking run from the rear. Generic Emperor had gone down narrowly after being allowed to run freely in front the last time out but this time, Frenchman David Badel waited with him in the rear and managed to work his way through the crowded field in the middle of the track and won going away from King’s Pride who had threatened to cause an upset. Mystic Heights finished on to be third.